BBC gives first look at Tiddler, the new star-studded animated film based on the beloved book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

The BBC and multiple Oscar nominated producers Magic Light Pictures today released a first look at their upcoming Christmas animated adventure, Tiddler, the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep, wide ocean until he is rescued by his own fish. telling stories.

Adapted for BBC iPlayer and BBC One from the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, Tiddler marks the 12th animated special of their work on the BBC.

Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones), who leads the cast of Tiddler, tells the narrator: “The books and films of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have without a doubt been the biggest cornerstone of my daughter’s life and my life together . They are the most beautiful marriage of animation and voice, perfectly cast. There is always something that tends to keep the main characters from realizing how special they are, and there is something joyful about teaching a child from an early age that you are wonderful, just the way you are.”

The half-hour animated special is narrated by a great cast. Hannah Waddingham is joined by Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, The Franchise) as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams (Ruby Speaking, Alma’s Not Normal) as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) – returning for his twelfth Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation – in the polyphonic roles of Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovies. Tiddler will also voice child actors Reuben Kirby in the title role, and Theo Fraser as Johnny Dory.

Last year’s Donaldson and Scheffler animation, Tabby McTat, the heartwarming story of a busker and his cat, was a big hit with an audience of 8.6 million.

Tiddler is directed by Andy Martin and Alex Bain, written by Michael Bohnenstingl and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures. The film was taken over by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor.

Magic Light’s previous adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s works are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

GK/SF